This jacket is the perfect compromise between the warmth and weight. It is small enough to pack in anything and keep you going light and fast, but warm enough to get through some cold nights or mean storms. So nice.

things I like about this jacket that are not in the desciption above:

1. The nylon lining on the inside of the jacket has a silky feel to it...makes the jacket feel warm, light and help freedom of movement

2. The high collar is lined with super soft micro fleece and is high enough to tuck under to avoid a burly gust of wind or pounding ice and snow.

3. The elastic cuffs are a thin stretchy neoprene like gasket that hold heat in without restricting blood flow

4. Two way zipper is great for hanging belays where your harness rides up into the jacket.

This is one most useful, comfortable, durable jackets TNF makes! I use a XL as a big belay over jacket to put on over my other down for the coldest adventures and have a size M for town and at the crag.

I own lots of winter jackets. What can I say, I have become a jackethead since moving out west. I own 8-10 North Face jackets, a Marmot and a few Columbia's. But if I had to give them all away and keep only 1, this would be it!!

This is the warmest jacket I have ever owned. Period. TNF Plasma Thermal comes close, but I'd have to go with this one. It is VERY lightweight but somehow VERY warm. Wind does not penetrate the material. I keep thinking it must be some kind of magic jacket...I wore this over just a t-shirt outside in 5-degree weather, windy with a windchill of much lower than 0F, and I was warm!

The "snorkel" hood is interesting and at first I didn't like it; it bunches up behind your neck when you zip up the jacket without wearing the hood. BUT, when you DO wear the hood with the jacket zipped up, it might look a little silly but trust me...this thing keeps your whole head nice and toasty (minus the face, of course). Now I just can't do without this hood! Get a good waterproof shell to use when it's raining and you are SET. I'm so blown away by this jacket!!!!

Wish I could give it 6 stars!!

P.S. If someone could find the 2007 version (medium) in blue (like this one: http://www.jacketreviews.com/Reviews/Synthetic-Jackets/The-North-Face-Redpoint-Optimus-Jacket) I would buy it from you!! I wish TNF would bring back some old colors.

i put this on in the fall and take it off in the Spring; better than the similar Patagonia jacket because of the snorkel hood and the lack of those irritating hood pulls inside the Big P's hoods that chafe your neck. Also, no welded pockets..... sized a bit tight for me, I usually wear a large but got an extra large in this jacket, that way I can throw a fleece on underneath if it's really cold; skiing, hiking, travelling, walking the dog - it's the steeze!

Love the hood!
This jacket stays in my pack full time,and is always there to keep me warm on the summits!

I've used this for the past year in different temperature ranges and have been very impressed. I've sumitted a few peaks with this jacket on while the wind was whipping 50+ MPH with the wind chill being in single digits. And although I only had a thing performance shirt on underneath, I kept totally warm. I've had a chance to use this snowshoeing in storms and again, with nothing more than a long sleeve performance shirt on, I was able to keep plenty warm.

The zipper system allows for you to zip both ways, up and down. So when it gets warm, it's easy to regulate your temperature. The hood allows you to not even need a hat on as well.

Like was said previously, this isn't really a jacket for being in a downpour for extended periods of time. It does fine in a quick shower but does much better in blizzards.

I actually returned the Nuptse jacket for this one and am really glad I did for sure.

I wear mine all the time. It works for skiing and for cruising around campus. Its not to big and puffy but still has a good insulation and keeps you warm.

Good: Light, soft, versatile, STOW technology (folds into a small pillow), very nice water repellant coat. Can be used as a outer layer or insulated baselayer.

Bad: Hood is HUGE, it can fit a helmet in it. Armpits will stink because of tight insulation and if you sweat a lot.

Overall: Very satisfied with this jacket :]

After a complete New England winter of use this jacket is still my favorite go-to jacket for just about everything except heavy rain. It held up well over a ski season as a mid layer and without a shell and I have yet to wash it because of either grime or stink. The jacket feels like it has a lost a little bit of its bulk but it is still as warm as the day I bought it. Yesterday I 'discovered' the stow pocket for the first time and it packs up to the size of a softball: awesome.

I'm going into my 5th season owning this jacket. I've probably worn it skiing for 100 days or so and while it's getting kind of dirty, it has held up much better than expected. The insulation is phenomenal, and allows me to just wear a light layer under the jacket when I ski.
I only really have two (minor) complaints. There isn't a powder skirt, which isn't a huge deal because I'll wear something different on deep days, but it would be a nice feature...even if it were removable. The other minor issue is that the hood is huge. It's great when you've got a helmet on, but it's almost too much without a helmet. Other than that though, this is a great jacket and I'd buy another one in the event this one wore out.

My wife purchased this jacket for me for Christmas. I had never seen this coat before or heard of Primaloft. This jacket keeps me warm when the temperatures are in the twenties and blocks the wind very well. It is a little too short to use for skiing or snowboarding in my opinion. I love the insulated hood and would highly recommend this jacket.

I am at school in Vermont and I live in this jacket from november to march. I owned and lost a nuptse and while the nupste was awesome because I could wear it over anything from a T-shirt up and run to class in any weather, I hated the bulk and didn't like to do anything active in it. I am 5'7, 135 lbs and the small fit great: slim and athletic. After getting this jacket, I am done with down, the Primaloft 1 is awesome.

I wear the jacket everyday, usually with a sweater underneath and it is ample down to about 18 degrees. I have worn the jacket with a set of Underarmor and a sweater and am fine down to -12. Light and totally windproof, the jacket is any skier/hiker/climber's gift from heaven. I ski in it in Utah in the mid-30s without a shell and it is great. Even in heavy snow and light rain, I am warm and dry.

Get one. Also, don't be afraid of the blue/lime color, I get positive comments on it everyday.

This jacket is very light and very warm, even in windy conditions. The material is very wind resistant and though not waterproof, the jacket is light enough to fit underneath a Gore-Tex shell if needed. If you're looking for reliable warmth that will stuff in your pack don't hesitate to get this jacket.

Chose this over the similar Mountain Hardware (a brand I normally choose), mostly cuz I liked the hood better, closer fit, not pointy like MH's. Fleecy wind/zipper protector comes up over chin and mouth. Worn in the White Mts. of N.H. at night this winter with just a poly tshirt and was comfy. Ltweight, stuffs small, very cozy and indispensible.

This is a great lightweight jacket that is as light as a hoody, but will keep you FAR more warm. Its SUPER packable and very warm. I use it from the Fall to the Spring, as an all around jacket. I have even skied in it a few times. It is not very water resistant though... I was caught in a torrential downpour and although I stayed warm and dry, the jacket was saturated. It dried very fast though